Is the Hokey Pokey really what it's all about? Or is there something more? Difficult life circumstances help us to cast off the distractions and see what is really important. This blog is an attempt to share what I'm learning about life as a 45-year old pastor and teacher in a battle with Ewing's sarcoma.

My Wife and I

So Happy Together

Note to Readers

Thank you for taking time to visit this blog! My purpose in doing this is to be an encouragement to others who are facing difficult circumstances in life and to remind them that there is hope!

For those who are reading this blog for the first time, I recommend going back and starting at the beginning. It is a bit of an inconvenience, but it will all make more sense if you read about where I've been before you read about where I am now.

I do not feel the need to post every day, but have the goal of three to four posts per week. Most of my entries relate to what I am learning in my daily Bible reading - that is where I find my wisdom, comfort, and my strength. Some of my entries might be described as "much ado about nothing." Sometimes I preach, but try to do so minimally, and only when prompted by the Holy Spirit.

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About Me

Until the end of September 2008, I taught science, geography, and senior social studies at a small Christian school in Pennsylvania. In addition, I served as an assistant pastor at the church which sponsors the school. I have been married to my best friend for 21 years; we have three children, ages 18, 14, and 5.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

This Day

As of yesterday, it is officially summer in our household. That means less driving to and fro for school activities. More time at home. A different routine. While sleeping a few hours later may be on the agenda for some in the family, others still find themselves waking up at 4:45 and enjoying the stillness of the morning.

This morning we (my wife and I) awoke to see a large deer in our backyard. That explains the leaves we noticed missing on the large hostas we just planted. Hummingbirds and songbirds feed at the two small feeders hanging near the lilac bush outside our front window.

As the birds sing to awaken the dawn, my wife and I enjoy quiet time with the Lord, reading His Word and conversing with Him in prayer, and enjoy a hot cup of coffee. Which manages to be refreshing even on a hot summer morning.

This morning, I read various verses with the word day. In Genesis 1:5, God called the light day. The very first day. In Psalm 118:24, we read that this is the day that the Lord has made. So what shall we do? Rejoice and be glad in it! This day, like all others, is a day to rejoice. There may be difficulties and sorrows this day, but overall, it is a day to rejoice. Because God has give us another day. In Proverbs 27:1, we are warned not to boast about our plans for tomorrow, because we do not even know what this day will bring forth. James 4:13-16 speaks to the same issue. What we do know is that God is sovereign over the events of this day and it is this day that demands our focus and attention. In Matthew 6:11, Jesus teaches us to pray this day for our daily bread, our daily provision. God will give us everything that we need to live for Him. Today.

Perhaps my favorite verses that describe the day, although the word morning is used, are Lamentations 3:22-24: Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I hope in Him!” God’s mercies are new every morning. Every day. God is faithful every day. God keeps His promises every day. Because of Him, every day I can have hope.

At the end of each day, I can rejoice in the victories that were won, the lessons learned, the growth that occurred, the blessings that were had. I can confess and repent of the failures, the shortcomings, the sins that were committed against God. And I can let them go. I must let them go. So that I can experience the dawning of the new day. The mercies of God that are new each morning. The joy that each new day brings.

Today is a new day. The birds opened up in song. I opened up in prayer and praise to the God who created all and is sovereign over all. It is His day. A day that He has given to me. For my enjoyment. For my refinement. For His glory.